LA PORTE, Texas – Eight people were hospitalized following a chemical leak emergency at a plant in La Porte Monday, emergency officials announced.
According to officials, a process upset at the ALTIVIA Chemical Complex on 16th Street and Fairmont Parkway prompted the release of the chemical phosgene, a colorless gas with a suffocating odor similar to musty hay. The company worked to contain the release shortly after.
According to Judge Lina Hidalgo’s Office, all of the patients who were transported were in stable condition at the time they were leaving the facility but were sent to the hospital as a precaution. Officials have not provided an update on their current conditions at this time.
8 people were transported from Altivia due to exposure, and all were stable at the time of leaving the facility. Emergency teams have started demobilizing, and @HarrisCoPC remains onsite doing precautionary monitoring.
— Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo (@HarrisCoJudge) December 4, 2023
An alert from the city urged residents south of Fairmont between Bay Area and S. 16th Street to immediately shelter in place after the incident. Officials asked those in the area to proceed to the nearest building to seek shelter, close all doors and windows, and turn off cooling or heating systems. The order was lifted at 1:16 p.m.
The City of La Porte Fire Department confirmed with Harris County Pollution Control there are no detectable amounts of immediately hazardous products near the facility. Harris County Pollution Control will remain onsite for precautionary monitoring.
Officials said there was no impact on any LPISD schools as they were not in the shelter area.
Those with non-emergency medical concerns that they believe are related to the incident can contact the dispatch non-emergency line at 281-471-3810.
Exposure to phosgene can cause irritation to the eyes, dry burning throat, vomiting, cough, foamy sputum, breathing difficulty, and chest pain; and when liquid: frostbite. Workers may be harmed from exposure to phosgene, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
About ALTIVIA Chemical Complex
ALTIVIA was founded in 1986 as a water treatment chemical producer. According to the company’s website, it produces phosgene derivative intermediates and operates the third-largest merchant production facility of phenol, acetone, and alpha-methyl styrene (AMS) in the Americas.